Pattern-controlled wallboard engraving machine



Jan' 2, 1951 l.. A. o. MARTINEZ 2,536,650

f PATTERN-CONTROLLED WALL-BOARD ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1946 5Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Jan. 2, 1951 A. o. MARTINEZ PATTERN-CONTROLLEDWALLBOARD ENGRAVING MACHINE 5 SheetsHSheet 2 Filed OCb. 18, 1946fici-.4-

ORNEYS Jan. 2, 1951 L. A. o. MARTINEZ PTTERN-CONTROLLED WALLBOARDENGRAVING MACHINE s sheets-Sheet s Filed 001:. 18, 1946 Mgg . m mw 3.Ill- @i W RN EYS Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICEPATTERN-CONTROLLED WALLBOARD ENGRAVING MACHINE Luis Alberto yOrtaMartinez, Caracas, Venezuela Application October 18, 1946, Serial No.704,185

3 Claims. l

My invention relates to a machine for engraving unique designs in wallboard, wood or other similar material.

The principal obj ective of my invention is to construct a machine thatwill quickly and eiciently engrave designs of many varied configurationsin wall board. A further objective of my invention is to construct amachine that can handle more than one board at the same time and yetenable the work to be performed on -all in one operation.

Anadditional advantage of my machine is that it performs the work forwhich it Was designed easily and efficiently at an extremely low cost.It can be adapted to work either automatically or manually and, evenwhen utilized manually, it only requires the services of one man.

A further feature of my invention is the cutters which engrave thedesigns into the wall board. These cutters are mounted on continuouschains and can be so designed that any desired contour may be secured.The result is a unique and artisti-c design that adds greatly tothebeauty and utility of a room where such material is used in theconstruction.

Further advantages and features of my machine will be apparent as Iproceed with the description:

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 shows a plan view of my machine.

Figure 2 shows a vertical longitudinal section on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an end view of my machine.

Figure 4 shows a vertical longitudinal section of the engravingmechanisms on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a plan elevation of one of the engraving mechanisms.

Figure 6 shows a cross section view on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 shows a typical design pattern en-A graved by my machine.

Figure 8 shows a cross section View on line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of my engraving machine I0 which consists ofa stationary frame II with two movable tables 4I) and 4I operating oneither side of the stationary frame II. This machine is also equippedwith means consisting of a cam operated lever 50 which brings the wallboard 30 that is positioned on the movable tables 4I] and 4I in contactwith the various cutting mechanisms I6, I 1 and I8.

The stationary frame I I is the central portion of my machine and it isroughly rectangular in shape, with two long sides I2 and I3 and two endportions I4 and I5 respectively. Preferably this frame would beconstructed of metal, however, other similar material that would servethe purpose may be utilized. The frame is sufciently long enough on itssides I2 and I3 to handle 12 feet by 4 feet wall board Which is theconventional size in which this material is manufactured. Mounted on the`outer portion of sides I2 and I3 are duplicate cutting mechanisms I6,Il and I8 which arepositioned directly opposite each other. Theseduplicate cutting mechanisms are interconnected by shafts which in turnare driven by pulleys so that one or more shafts are `common to twocutting mechanisms which are identical in every respect.

Positioned on either side `of the stationary frame II are two movabletables 40 and 4l. As the movable tables 40 and 4I are identical in everyrespect, the same character references will refer to correspondng partsof both tables. These movable tables are mounted in both upper and lowerportions on wheels. The wheels in turn are guided by rails, the lowerwheels 4l being guided by rail 45 and the upper wheels 4l being guidedby rail 46. The upper and lower portions of the movable tables 46 and 4Iare operatively connected to the upper and lower cams 5I and 55respectively through adjustable arms 48. One end of the arms 48 ispivoted through pin 51 to the movable tables 40 and 4I while theopposite end of these arms are pivoted through pins 58 and 58 to thecams 55 and 5I.

An additional feature of arms 48 is that they have adjusting device 49by which their distance of movement may be varied. Connecting the uppercams 5I with the lower cams 55 are cam arms 59 which are pivoted atopposite ends of the stationary frame II to the upper and lower camsrespectively through pins 58 that hold one end of the arms 48 extendingfrom the movable table 46. This construction is duplicated at both endsof the stationary frame II and the upper cams 5I at opposite ends of theframe are connected through a cam shaft 52 while the lower cams 55 atopposite ends of the frame are connected through a cam shaft 56. The camshafts 52 and 56 extend the entire length of the stationary frame II.

At one end of the stationary frame Il, an operational lever is connectedto onev of the lower cams and movement of this lever in one directionwill bring both movable tables 46 and 4I toward the cutting mechanismsI6, II and I8 which are mounted on the stationary frame II whileoperating the lever in the opposite direction, will move the tables 4i)and 4I away from the cutting mechanisms. The movable tables 4E) and 4iare also equipped with means to position the wallboard 3E] during thecutting operation.

At the lower portion of both of the movable frames there are situatedcontinuous :supplyfbelts 42. The supply belts 4'2"operate onr'oll'ers 44and these rollers can be connected through pulley means to a motor sothat the necessary driving force will be supplied to move the .wallboardinto position.

Positioned on the movable tables are upper and lower guide means 53 and5'4"resp`ectivelywhich hold the wallboard and prevent any `'ver-ticalmovement of the board during cutting operations. At the upper portion ofthe movable frame,` the guide means 53 consists of an angular shapedpiece'of metal with aldownw'ard flange that extendsthe length ofthemovable frames. On the lower .portion 'of the movable:fr-anaeisa-similar snapedpiece ofimetal'fwith-an'upward flange .thatalso extends the length 'of the movable frame. The space betweentheupper'and lower viianges and thesi'des'll 'of the movable tables 40and 4I isislightly.-largerithan the-vvidth-'of the Wallboard 3Uwhichallows free lateral movement of the Wallboa'rdwhenit'isbeingjplaced in position for the engraving; operation.

The movabl'efframes ill and' I'fa're also equipped withvalockingldevicefinwtheiorm of a clamp 43 at each' end `which preventslongitudinal' movement of the Wall-boardv during'the cutting operations.

As canbeseen, through either the manual or automatic operation v`foflever .'50, the mechanism can -beso'controlled:that vthe wallbo'ard canbe fed -intos-position-andthen Ythrough the adjustable arms, a definitecutting depth can be set to controlithe cuttingdepth.

An adjustable finger gauge YII Ais mounted on the movable frames in suchamanner thatit contacts thestationary-frame II during the engravingoperation .preventing =the= movable frames 40 and-4i irom approachingany closer-tothe stationary'frarne and=in thatmanner control the depthof'thecut in'the'fwallboard 38.

'As- 'showniineFigure '1, the 'driving `mechanism which consists offa-series of shafts and pulleys, all' inter-:connected through belts,'is contained in the central"portion-ofV thefstationary frame IINecessarily, due to the diierent types of designsgthe positioning vvof:theshafts and pulleys are diierent'throughout. However, in'view of thefactfthat identical cutting mechanisms are mounted on the-opposite-sides'of the stationary frame, one set of shafts `and pulleys issuflcient to operate two cutting mechanisms.

-As shownin Figure'l, `the-shafts 60 of'cutting mechanism Ibextendthrough thev both Asides .of the stationarylframe I Iand mounted lon theopposite 'end `ofseachflshaft 'aresprocket gears 24 which drive theVcontinuous sprocket chain '23 of the cutting mechanism. zPositioned onthe shafts '69 inside the Ystationary housing II are pulleys 64 whichare connected-bya driving belt 66.

`Cutting mechanism -I8 -is similarly designed with the four shaftsilZ,drivingsprocket gears 24 onbothfsidesfrof thevstationary'frame -II:being inter-connected 'through pulleys 'I2 andwbelt 13. Both of these'mechanisms I8 and |8 in turn are driven 'by "shafts 6I and 'Si' which`are equipped with similar. pulleys A*141 and 'I4' 7and: are

4 connected through belts 'I5 and I5 to the cutting mechanisms I6 and I8respectively.

The center cutting mechanism I1 due to a different type of design has aframe supporting its main shaft 63. This shaft 63 is equipped with alarge pulley 61 which is connected to shaft 6I through belt 'I6 for itsdriving force. Also mounted on either side of the frame 65 and onAfshaf-t'ili .are tvvo double pulleysl28. llPulleys 28 inadditiontdbeingequipped to receive't'wo belts,

are also in two parts with the inner portion 'I8 being keyed to shaft 63and supported from the vouter .portion "ITJof the pulley by a ballbearing `su'lcel-I. This enables the outer and inner portions vofthepulley-torotate freely with respect to each other.

:Shafts 6I :and F8 I z are connected through belt 19 and the motivemeans which can be supplied by a conventional motor is connected toshaft 6I through pulley 80.

IIt can bef'seen then byfdrivirrglilpallf @the cutting "mechanisms willbe 'placed :in operation and will move at the same time.

As fsl-iown -in 'Figure `"1, Leach `side rof :the fstationary-fraine- II- .ts preferredform is-:aequipped Withthree di-ffei enu cuttingymechanisms fonn different f'designs ibut Lare essentially fltne same 3in4their mechanical Aconstruction operation.

Fig-ure 5 shows Aa'eloseupV` view of .cutting .mechanism I'I whichconsists of a continuousesprocket Vchain 23 which \is driven byusprocketxgears :"24. At' pre-determine'd'intervals .there is mountedionthis sprocket chain several *double i flange 'guide rollers-122..Thesegui'de rollers 7follow thei groove 8S in lthe track 5-28 Which' isshaped :according to the design patternffdesired.

' Mounted onf-these lguidefrol'lerseZZ zare cutting blades 25 Iwhich`uttracks v8l -`inthevvallboa'rd whenftlie wallboafrdf)ist:bronghtiinfcontactwith the cutting .mechanisms fhefcuttingblades 25in Atheir preferred form are made 'fof fst-eel =cr carborun'dum,however,they-zcan'be made of :any other similanmaterialfthat will-servethe: purpose.

Between theftrackuand thefside |2of;athe stationary. iram'efl I;'arespacers??Izwhichposition and. supportfthettracma :dennite distancefrom the side I2 of the stationary frame I I. :The-gear shafts 28driving thefgears 24 .':extend through the sidetZ fofvthestati'onary.frame :II andf-the track .-2 ``and fha-ve :pulleys r2 'I positionedv.on tthe end of the shafts whichl arevconnectedffbyubelts 29Ytop'ul'ley :28 dwhich in'turn lis'connected-5to thefdrivingmecnanismwimthef-mafnnergpreviously described.

Cutting mechanism I7 is unique and differs from fthe "other :mechanismsin :that .the :entire cutting mechanism includinglthetraekasprocketgearsx24 #andsprocket-chaman -are mounted on a circular plate 83. Thisplate-ris'fkeyed to thesl'raft-e andfwhen thisshaft is 4driven :throughbelt 'I5 which is connectedvto atl-1e -`:large pulley 8l, l'the--Fentire f up'late`-rotates. Positioned on ethe plate 83 is anindicator 85 which can -berset at any desired.V marking-lllewhich are.placed. on'i'the side lof the: fra-me .fI l.

-In the event it :is desired ftd-secure .-a certain design, plate 83-eantbefrotated-'until thelindicater' is set on thedesired {rn-ark.-Thenplate y is then#slain-pecl` `in position through the .operation offclampe88 and -belt Y"155 y--is dis-connected :from thelargepulleyfi'l.:This will prevent thefplate from rotating. f However, through .doublepulley 28 which is connected through belt 82 to v-'the driving mechanismtand -ftnroug-hhbelt l. .29- -to the gear pulleys 21, the cutting blade25 which is mounted on a guide roller 22 will be caused to move in itsgroove 89 in the track 20.

Another possibility is to have theplate rotate with the cuttingmechanism remaining inactive by dis-connecting belt 28 from the pulley21.

It can be readily seen that a variety of designs may be secured fromthis one cutting mechanism through various combinations of the settingof the plate on various markers, also by controlling the movement of thecutting mechanism I1 and the plate 83. Due to the size of the pulley 61,the plate will rotate at a slower speed than the sprocket gears on thecutting mechanism.

Figure l illustrates a type of design that may be made by this machineutilizing the cutting. mechanism l1. Loop 88, for example, will be cutwhen the indicator S5 is placed approximately on marker I5 of themechanism While loop 81 will be cut when the indicator is setapproximately at number three of the mechanism.

Figure 8 illustrates a cross section area through the cuts showing thedepth of the tracks 8|.

Cutting mechanisms i6 and i8 are essentially the same as mechanism l1with the exception of the contour ci the track and the increased numberand location cf the gear shafts and gear Sprockets. By placing a seriesof holes in the side of the stationary frame Il, it Will be possible tosubstitute various cutting mechanisms with the shafts being relocated invarious holes according to the contour of the track to be used.

A variety of cuts in the wallboard or wood may be secured through theuse of different cutting pulleys equipped with a variety of cuttingedges. Also, when the machine is used on Wood, it is contemplated to usea specially designed pulley to start the track and then substitute anishing tool to complete the design.

It is also possible to mount a cutting tool on each of the guide rollersof the mechanism and, accordingly, either one cutting tool or pluralityof cutting tools may be utilized, depending on the speed of operationdesired.

A design which is engraved on wallboard or wood by this machine may beenhanced by superimposing or cutting one design on another. It is alsopossible to cut the nished design into sections and then re-assemble itinto various new and different congurations.

It can be seen that by varying this procedure, innumerable designs andcontours may be obtained from the use of a few basic cutting mechanisms.

Whereas I have discussed the preferred form of my device, it is realizedthat minor changes may be made without departing from the principalscope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A. wall board engraving mechanism which lncludes a stationary frame,an engraving mechanism on the side of said stationary frame, a movableframe disposed alongside of said engraving mechanism, means on saidmovable frame for adjustably supporting a sheet of wall board thereon ina plane parallel to the side of the stationary frame, manually operableconnected cams at the top and bottom of Said stationary frame, linksconnecting the cams with the top and bottom of the movable frame wherebythe movement of the cams in one or the other direction will move themovable frame to and fro-m the stationary frame and the engravingmechanism thereon.

2. A wall board engraving machine which includes a stationary frame, adisk journaled at the side of said frame and having a groove ofpredetermined shape therein, a roller riding in said groove, an endlesschain to which said roller is connected, an engraving tool mounted onsaid roller, sprocket gears on said disk and operatively connected tosaid chain, said disk being angularly rotatable to selective positionsof adjustment about its journal axis for varying the position of saidengraving tool, and means to drive said sprocket gears.

3. A Wall board engraving machine which includesl a stationary frame, a.disk journaled at the side of said frame and having a groove ofpredetermined shape therein, a roller riding in said groove, an endlesschain to which said roller is connected, an engraving tool mounted onsaid roller, sprocket gears on said disk and operatively connected tosaid chain, said disk being angularly rotatable to selective positionsof adjustment about its journal axis for varying the position of saidengraving tool, means on said disk and frame cooperating to indicatesaid selective positions, and means to drive said sprocket gears.

LUIS ALBERTO ORTA MARTINEZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTSl Number Name Date 141,214 Frantze et al. July 29,1873 431,525 Mattison July 1, 1890 436,078 Evans Sept. 9, 1890 765,744Mahar July 26, 1904 843,322 Bontenakels Feb. 5, 879,571 Neill Feb. 18,1908 989,480 Blood Apr. 11, 1911 1,050,198 Allen et al Jan. 14, 19131,084,460 Marstall Jan. 13, 1914 1,255,935 Sabin Feb. 12, 1918 1,281,004Herman Oct. 8, 1918 1,554,497 Goff Sept. 22, 1925 2,026,109 Walters Dec.31, 1935 2,378,017 Hubkey June 12, 1945

